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Release date: August 6, 2019

Publisher: St. Martin’s

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

Single mother Lee has the daily routine down to a science: shower in six minutes. Cut food into perfect squares. Never leave her on-the-spectrum son Mason in someone else’s care. She’ll do anything—anything—to keep his carefully constructed world from falling apart. Do anything to keep him safe.

But when her best friend Grace convinces her she needs a small break from motherhood to recharge her batteries, Lee gives in to a weekend trip. Surely a long weekend away from home won’t hurt?
Noah, Mason’s handsome, bright, charismatic tutor—the first man in ages Lee’s even noticed—is more than happy to stay with him.

Forty-eight hours later, someone is dead.

But not all is as it seems. Noah may be more than who he claims to be. Grace has a secret—one that will destroy Lee. Lee has secrets of her own that she will do anything to keep hidden.
As the dominoes begin to fall and the past comes to light, perhaps it’s no mystery someone is gone after all…

Because You’re Mine is a breathtaking novel of domestic drama and suspense. 

Review:

I absolutely loved the authors last book, Not Her Daughter and was so impressed by how well she executed a highly emotional thriller, I don’t think that’s an easy thing to do at all. She has a really uncanny knack for infusing her stories with a ton of emotional upheaval but she doesn’t lose that tense, addictive quality that a really solid thriller always has either. It’s definitely a tricky balancing act but she nailed it again!

This is told from multiple perspectives, you hear from Lee, Grace and Noah and it’s clear right from the start that all three of them have complicated pasts and are hiding some things. I spent most of the book wondering who was reliable and who wasn’t, always so fun and a sure fire way to keep me on the edge of my seat. The pacing is also really on point, there’s never a dull moment, there was literally always something happening to keep me engaged.

I kept patting myself on the back because while this was super twisty I did guess all of the little surprises ahead of time, but honestly? I didn’t even care because it was still really good. Then the ending crept up on me and delivered one hell of a sucker punch that I did not see coming, so Frey got me in the end 😝 Definitely recommended by me, though I do want to mention that this gets dark and explores some sensitive subject matter. It’s not gory or anything, just very heavy at times.

Because You’re Mine in three words: Twisty, Dark and Riveting

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

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Release date: August 6, 2019

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Blurb:

Emma London never thought she had anything in common with her grandmother Genevieve London. The regal old woman came from wealthy and bluest-blood New England stock, but that didn’t protect her from life’s cruelest blows: the disappearance of Genevieve’s young son, followed by the premature death of her husband. But Genevieve rose from those ashes of grief and built a fashion empire that was respected the world over, even when it meant neglecting her other son.

When Emma’s own mother died, her father abandoned her on his mother’s doorstep. Genevieve took Emma in and reluctantly raised her–until Emma got pregnant her senior year of high school. Genevieve kicked her out with nothing but the clothes on her back…but Emma took with her the most important London possession: the strength not just to survive but to thrive. And indeed, Emma has built a wonderful life for herself and her teenage daughter, Riley. 

So what is Emma to do when Genevieve does the one thing Emma never expected of her and, after not speaking to her for nearly two decades, calls and asks for help?

Review:

I am SO excited that it’s finally time for me to fangirl over one of my all time favorite authors latest book! She’s one of those rare gems that gets better with each book, I always say her newest is my most favorite and I’m saying it again here. This had all the elements that I’ve come to expect and love from KH and much more.

This flips back and forth between Genevieve, Riley and Emma with some chapters from other secondary characters as well giving you a true birds eye point of view of all the action. While KH books always have an engaging storyline full of humor and heart, what truly makes her books shine is her phenomenal characterization. Every single character here was portrayed in a way that made them feel larger than life and like you could easily imagine yourself chatting to them in real life. This amazing writing style allows you to get so fully invested in these people that they feel like real friends by the time you get done. This tactic also always makes me feel something, I could relate to Emma’s struggles as a mother, I felt sympathetic to Genevieve’s loss of her son, I wanted to help keep Riley safe from the mean girls at school, my point here is that it was an emotional read and I experienced way too many emotions to name, both highs and lows.

If you’re already a fan of KH you’ll be ecstatic about this one and if she’s a new to you author grab this and then be so excited she has an extensive backlist to devour because you’ll definitely want more!

Life and Other Inconveniences in three words: Heartfelt, Emotional and Moving

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: July 30, 2019

Publisher: Gallery

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

Natalie, a young art student in New York City, is struggling to pay her bills when a friend makes a suggestion: Why not go online and find a sugar daddy—a wealthy, older man who will pay her for dates, and even give her a monthly allowance? Lots of girls do it, Nat learns. All that’s required is to look pretty and hang on his every word. Sexual favours are optional.

Though more than thirty years her senior, Gabe, a handsome corporate finance attorney, seems like the perfect candidate, and within a month, they are madly in love. At least, Nat is…Gabe already has a family, whom he has no intention of leaving.

So when he abruptly ends things, Nat can’t let go. She begins drinking heavily and stalking him: watching him at work, spying on his wife, even befriending his daughter, who is not much younger than she is. But Gabe’s not about to let his sugar baby destroy his perfect life. What was supposed to be a mutually beneficial arrangement devolves into a nightmare of deception, obsession, and, when a body is found near Gabe’s posh Upper East Side apartment, murder. 

Review:

If you’re looking for a book to grab your attention from page one then look no further because this one hooked me instantly! As my friend Laura says, no need for a bookmark with this one, it’s addictive and pretty impossible to put down once you get started.

I’m all about the drama and is there anything more dramatic than a sugar daddy/sugar baby relationship gone bad?! I think not, and friends that was just the tip of the iceberg here. You hear from both Gabe and Natalie and I was so fascinated by both sides of their relationship. It was easy to see how a young, desperate woman could fall for the charms of a rich, older man and when this took a turn and went dark and obsessive I was even more intrigued. Besides a wickedly dark plot it’s also incredibly fast paced and exciting and is a true one sitting read. Highly recommended to add to your summer TBR, huge fan of RH and will be reading anything she releases!

The Arrangement in three words: Addictive, Obsessive and Dramatic

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy

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Release date: July 30, 2019

Publisher: Pamela Dorman

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

Maybe you don’t know your neighbors as well as you thought you did . . . 

“This is a very difficult letter to write. I hope you will not hate us too much. . . My son broke into your home recently while you were out.” 

In a quiet, leafy suburb in upstate New York, a teenager has been sneaking into houses–and into the owners’ computers as well–learning their secrets, and maybe sharing some of them, too.

Who is he, and what might he have uncovered? After two anonymous letters are received, whispers start to circulate, and suspicion mounts. And when a woman down the street is found murdered, the tension reaches the breaking point. Who killed her? Who knows more than they’re telling? And how far will all these very nice people go to protect their own secrets? 

In this neighborhood, it’s not just the husbands and wives who play games. Here, everyone in the family has something to hide . . .

You never really know what people are capable of. 

Review:

I’ve been a fan of all of the authors previous books, she has this unique style that feels like a traditional, good old fashioned whodunnit mystery combined with a modern twist that always seems to work well for me. This was no exception, it had all the elements that I’ve grown to love and expect from Lapena and was overall an entertaining read.

Sometimes, typically in a mystery, a large ensemble cast can fall flat but that didn’t happen here. Though it took a few chapters for me to settle in and figure out who was married to who, once I did I was pretty dang invested. As more as revealed about each character in the neighborhood you realize they’re all carrying secrets and trying to figure out which ones who come out, and at what expense was engaging.

Endings can either make a book for me or break it and unfortunately I wasn’t a huge fan of how this one wrapped up. I don’t want to spoil anything specific but I’ll just say open endings, even just small pieces aren’t my favorite. The author is definitely talented though and I’m still a fan, it’s just not my absolute favorite from her.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: July 30, 2019

Publisher: Ballantine

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Blurb:

A Manhattan socialite turns her spin instructor into a fitness superstar to impress her friends. But can she keep her little project under control? Or has she created a monster?

Julia Summers seems to have it all: a Fifth Avenue apartment, a successful husband, and two adorable children attending the best private school in the city. She relishes wielding influence over her well-heeled girlfriends . . . but her star appears to be fading. That’s why, when stranded in Manhattan for the summer as the entire Upper East Side flees to the Hamptons, Julia is on the hunt for the next big thing–the hot, new fad that will put her back on top.

Enter Flame, the new elite fitness craze. Seductive and transformative, Flame is exactly what Julia needs–and demure, naïve instructor Tatum is her ticket in. Turning Tatum from giggly blonde to trendy guru proves hard work. Yet Julia’s triumphant comeback at summer’s end doesn’t quite go as planned, and when things suddenly get ugly–and even deadly–she realizes she may have been in way over her head. And Tatum, waiting in the wings, begins to grasp just how much power her newfound stardom holds . . .

Then, with Julia’s life already spiraling out of control, her husband is arrested for fraud and bribery. As her so-called friends turn their backs on her, and Tatum pursues her own agenda, Julia is forced to rethink everything she knew about her world to reclaim her perfect life.

But does she even want it back? 

Review:

I. Am. Obsessed. With. This. Book!! I read this almost two weeks ago and have been struggling ever since to write a review because I loved it so much and I always struggle writing reviews when I adored a book. (Is that weird?) I really just wanna say read this one because it was a hilarious page turner and leave it at that. Buy the damn book y’all! But I’ll give you a little more than that.

Most of us are knee deep in looking for the next great summer read to take on vacation and while I’ve recommended quite a few already this summer, go ahead and put this one at the top of your list. It’s the ultimate beach read with bite, mainly because it’s full of razor sharp writing and cutting wit, you’ve never seen drama like Upper East Side drama and these women came to play. Admittedly I hated most of them because they’re awful and gossipy and incredibly catty but I could not stop reading about them either. Julia was the clear favorite for me and she underwent a surprising amount of growth by the end so despite the light and fluffy appearance, there is also some depth too.

If you’re a fan of books like When Life Gives You Lululemons or shows like Gossip Girl you will love this one! Highly recommended by me, it was so fun and even has some surprising twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting.

That’s What Frenemies Are For in three words: Snarky, Funny and Sharp

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: July 30, 2019

Publisher: Graydon House

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Swipe right for love. Swipe left for disaster.

By day, Mel Strickland is an underemployed helpdesk tech at a startup incubator, Hatch, where she helps entitled brogrammers—”Hatchlings”—who can’t even fix their own laptops, but are apparently the next wave of startup geniuses. And by night, she goes on bad dates with misbehaving dudes she’s matched with on the ubiquitous dating app, Fluttr.

But after one dick pic too many, Mel has had it. Using her brilliant coding skills, she designs an app of her own, one that allows users to log harrassers and abusers in online dating space. It’s called JerkAlert, and it goes viral overnight.

Mel is suddenly in way over her head. Worse still, her almost-boyfriend, the dreamy Alex Hernandez—the only non-douchey guy at Hatch—has no idea she’s the brains behind the app. Soon, Mel is faced with a terrible choice: one that could destroy her career, love life, and friendships, or change her life forever.

Review:

I am absolutely loving the resurgence of the rom com, I’ve been loving them SO much lately and I am super impressed with how amazing this new batch of romance books has been in the last few months. From start to finish I adored this one, it was fun, light and totally modern and it also had depth and plenty of heart.

Lucky for me I was married long before online dating/apps became a common thing so while I couldn’t totally relate to Mel, that didn’t stop me from loving her! She’s a typical twenty something woman trying to navigate the dating world in the big city, but she’s fed up and ready to take action. She starts JerkAlert as a place where woman can review men they’ve met online as a way for them to prescreen potential dates and the ramifications are way more than she ever could’ve imagined. I loved her attitude and drive, both personally and professionally, she was constantly dealing with so many jerks in both areas and she not only made me laugh, she inspired me a little. It’s not cheesy girl power type of junk but instead an authentic feeling sense of women are badass, time to let the world know that I just enjoyed.

Highly recommended by me for a super fun summer read, it had everything I love in a rom com and more and I’ll definitely be looking forward to reading more from the author.

How to Hack a Heartbreak in three words: Fresh, Hip and Fun

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: July 16, 2019

Publisher: Wednesday

Genre: YA

Blurb:

In this hilarious follow-up novel to the New York Times bestseller I Hate Everyone But You, long distance best friends Ava and Gen have finally made it to the same time zone (although they’re still over a thousand miles apart).

Through their hilarious, sometimes emotional, but always relatable conversations, Ava and Gen are each other’s support systems through internships, relationship troubles, questionable roommates, undercover reporting, and whether or not it’s a good idea to take in a feral cat. Please Send Help perfectly captures the voice of young adults looking to find their place in the world and how no matter how desperate things seem, you always have your best friend to tell it like it is and pick you back up. 

Review:

This is the second in a series, I read the first a couple years ago and you probably don’t have to read the first to enjoy this one, but they’re such fun and fast reads I would just read both. It’s told via emails and texts making it really easy to get sucked into this one, it goes by really fast and the drama that Gen and Ava have in their lives is addictive!

While I’m AHEM quite a bit older than the characters I could relate to aspects of their angst, although thankfully I didn’t have to deal with social media issues when I was there age. The first book I had a minor struggle with Gen’s immaturity but this time around she didn’t bother me as much and I found her to be much more tolerable and fun. There is quite a bit of humor here, and lots of great pop culture references that even a grandma like me understood. This would be perfect when you’re in the mood for something really fun and light told in a unique format. If this series continues I’m here for it!

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: July 23, 2019

Publisher: Scribner

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb: